The  title here is “Algae to Fertilizer”  which should be :  “Algae to Fertilizer to More Algae.”

This is rather incredible but here in Florida we are used to it.  We have a serious water problem that is costing the state billions and we know how to fix it.  Instead of doing that, we spend millions upon millions to come up with little schemes, even hiring firms from foreign countries, to try out this plan or that plan, all “innovations in the latest technology.”

Water board scientists and university employees hunch over drawing boards while state agencies burn the midnight oil applying for grants for research.  We do this because fixing the problem would bring chaos to Tallahassee.

This, however,  takes the cake.  We will take the pollution product, which is algae, and use it to make a fertilizer, which is what is causing the problem in the first place.  Excess fertilizer is the main cause of algae.

The irony here exceeds even the infamous “Cash Cow” portrayed by Andy Marlette in the Pensacola News Journal.

From an earlier OSFR post:

What this amounts to is that our state agency issues a permit to a dairy which allows them to pollute, and then gives them money to pollute less.  Our state also issues permits to withdraw free water, and then pays the permit holder money to withdraw less free water.

The Gainesville Sun wrote an editorial about this on June 20, 2015, with an appropriate satirical cartoon by Jake Fuller, who enthusiastically gave OSFR permission to reproduce.  Read our post here, with a link to the Sun editorial.

Then-president of OSFR, Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson is quoted extensively in this editorial:

“I’m pleased that the state recognizes dairy farms’ need to reduce their nitrate loading,” Malwitz-Jipson wrote in an email. “However, allowing our taxes to pay for their fixes is a lot like corporate welfare. These are not small farms; these large farms have created large wastes, FDEP should be holding them accountable to their pollution contributions to our watersheds. Large-scale farming should be responsible farmers and deal with their wastes as any other business would be required to do so.”

Remember, this is Florida.

Read the original article with many photos here in the Tallahassee Democrat.

Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum

Algae to fertilizer: Harvester could help defend against Florida’s harmful algal blooms

HAVANA – Could algae help mitigate climate change? Some environmental scientists hope so.

About 50 people gathered last month at May Nursery in Havana to witness a demonstration of technology that cleans waterways and harvests algae.

Scientists in attendance were interested in how harvesting algae could become a method to maintain and improve water quality.

Attendees at the federally-sponsored event included officials from the Northwest Florida Water Management district, University of Florida researchers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in addition to members of the family-owned May Nursery.

With the new technology, business  officials hope to fill a growing niche in sustainable farming, and UF researchers will study the algae to determine if and how it can be used as an alternative fertilizer in commercial agriculture.

From 2020:Thousands of dead rays, shrimp, fish wash up in Florida, drawing memories of 2016 ‘fish-pocalypse’

But innovation will come with a hefty price tag. Dan Levy, a director with AECOM — the international engineering firm behind the project — said the machine demonstrated recently costs about $1 million.

On that Tuesday morning, the machine hummed as it worked as it pumped water out of a large pond. Sitting on a trailer, the metal contraption stood more than 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It is estimated to be able to process 1 million gallons of water per day.

     How it works

The process is simple, the science a bit more complicated.

The machine, called an algae harvester, sits on the bank of a waterway and pulls water into its metal belly where it separates the algae from the water and sends clean water back into the water body. The algae remains behind in a tub.

“If we can take algae out of the water we can essentially decarbonize our planet,” said Levy, vice president of environment at AECOM. Levy also holds the title of global director of algae at the company.

Researchers, such as Dail Laughinghouse, have high hopes they could transform the algae into fertilizer. UF professors have two years to finish the project, Laughinghouse said. He is an assistant professor of phycology at the university.

Harmful algal blooms are a growing concern for Floridians, as they are occurring more frequently and impact the health of humans and wildlife.

Leon County closed the boat ramps at Lake Munson in late May after the local Florida Department of Health office issued a health alert recommending people not go into the water.

Water samples taken by state officials found low levels of toxins present. But a volunteer environmental group reported there are dozens of acres of algae mats along the lake’s north and west sections, far from where the state water samples were taken.

Joel May, director of production at May Nursery, said the machine will stay on the property for a six-month period.

From May:Leon County closes Lake Munson boat ramp as Health Department warns stay out of the water

Casey Chapter is an independent journalist and member of the Florida Student News Watch. Reach her at CChapter@Tallahassee.com or follow her on Twitter @CaseyChapter.